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Head Gasket Problem(s)?...I'm not so sure

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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kcodyjr
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Re: Head Gasket Problem(s)?...I'm not so sure

Post by kcodyjr »

Oil sump and oil pan are interchangeable terms.

The sump seals are inside the pan, you'd have to drain and drop. These are involved in the pump picking up oil.

When you do that, you'll replace the dipstick O-ring as well, which is where abnormal moisture gets into it.

So, doing that procedure would address the top-end noise as well as the goo on the dipstick.

I'd strongly advise doing this at the same time as your PCV kit (oil trap kit). The oil trap sits into a couple holes in the face of the engine, and if you do this with the pan off, you'll be able to see if you've cleared the blockage.
2012 C70 T5 Platinum, ember black on cranberry leather
2006 S60 2.5T AWD, ice white on oak textile
5 others that came and went

VolvoTurbo850
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Year and Model: 1994 850 (T5)
Location: Toronto, Canada
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Post by VolvoTurbo850 »

Yes i think you need to take it in to the mechanic if your not sure. I didnt think there were anything but Moose in Newfoundland not any indy mechanics.

One thing you can try is removing the thermostat because if it is stuck it will cause it to overheat.

The reason I am asking how long you owned it, another Volvo owner i know purchased a car where the previous owner (who was a mechanic) actually put diesel fuel in to replace the oil. This was to CHEAT them from knowing the car had engine issues. The car had white smoke and other issues but until my INDY mechanic saw it and told him. Thank goodness for good people out there to keep us from being stumped.

The Fleet

2001 V70 (NA) 2.5
1999 C70 Conv. Turbo 2.3 HPT
1998 S70 Turbo (T5) SE
1994 850 Turbo (T5)
1980 Corvette (Corvolvo)

Previous Possessions: (4) 240's, (1) 740, (9) 850's, (5) 70 Series
Projects on the go: NONE... Yet!

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LamboSE5
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Post by LamboSE5 »

Hey guys,
JDS60R wrote:I look forward to hearing :
1. What codes you have
2. What your compression readings are
3. What you observed when you took it apart ( what plugs look like - What top of pistons looked like, any oil you found and where. ) Pictures will help you show us the info.
Hey guys, just finished up my compression testing.

Here are my results. (Cylinder #'s are from left to right standing facing the engine bay, TB to Dist. I don't know if that is the correct cylinder numbering..I think it is though..anyway)

Cyl----Dry----------Wet----------Wet#2
#1----188-190-------208-209
#2----190------------202-203
#3----190-----------*185* ---------*189-190*
#4----190------------200
#5----189-190------200

Note*: When I was doing the wet test I put some oil in cylinder 3 when I meant to put it in cylinder 2, because #2 was the next in line to be tested. I just decided to put some oil in cylinder 2 and test it, then try to just do cylinder 3 next quickly. So I think that explains the very slight difference on the first wet test of cylinder 3 (the oil had made its way down/got blown out as I tested cylinder 2). Makes sense right?
So I retested cylinder 3 again, after I had gone through 4 and 5's wet tests. I added a little more oil to cylinder 3 and then I got the result of ~189-190.

Test was done on a warmed up engine. With a charged battery

Please comment...Thank you.

I have pics/videos I'll post when I get a few minutes.

Edit
Spark Plugs looked good. I have pics.
Some oil, in the recesses/"dips" underneath the plastic cover ("20 valve" cover), that's been there for a whiiile -- However I think it's from the oil filler cap...I'll have to get a new one/gasket.
The inside, where the spark plugs go, all looked fine. Right where the plug's meet the blocks threads was a bit (a very tiny bit) "cruddy". Like miniscule amounts of...just..crumbly dirt/PB Blaster/anti-seize. I used some (PB) earlier in the day, waited, and then removed the plugs to check threads and apply anti-seize for the test I'd be doing later. (Thanks for that advice JDS60R)
On the bougie cord plug cables, one had a bit of, what looked like fresh, oil in the upper rubber "fins/ribs" of the rubber socket thing/cover. But it must've come from above (oil filler cap leak) cause the spark plug looked fine/dry, and the hole where the spark plug goes in wasn't oily or anything.

I won't have codes until I buy a code reader I guess - because I'm not paying half the price of a good code reader to have them read once, I'll just buy one next paycheck :D

I had fun doing this test, I really enjoyed myself. And learned, of course.

I have an appointment for my only Euro car garage this Wednesday... it's about my oil leak problems though...I duno if I should go, postpone, or what...

Thanks again.

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LamboSE5
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Post by LamboSE5 »

Anybody want to comment on my numbers...or anything, please feel free...
Will upload pictures of plugs and plug holes tonight

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LamboSE5
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Post by LamboSE5 »

Is there anyway, with those compression readings that I could have a head gasket leak? How would that be possible?

petax
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Year and Model: 850 T-5R 1995
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Post by petax »

LamboSE5 wrote:Is there anyway, with those compression readings that I could have a head gasket leak? How would that be possible?
What was the end of this story, did you get to the bottom of the problem, be good to hear. Thanks
1995 Black 850 T-5R Saloon 210,000 kms

beoutside
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Post by beoutside »

you tube video of head gasket repair with turbo , thought there were some good tips when your adding a turbo to the mix

1999 V70 x/c AWD

Go Forth and Seek the depths

that create spark in your life......

Or something along those lines :)

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